Abu Dhabi: Mechanisms to implement community service as a punishment for minor offences were discussed on Wednesday at the first meeting of the Abu Dhabi Prosecution and designated government entities, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said in a statement.
Ali Mohammad Al Beloushi, Attorney General of Abu Dhabi, said the meeting highlighted specific mechanisms that can be used to supervise and follow up on sentenced individuals performing community service.
According to the Abu Dhabi Prosecution, government entities designated with implementing community service must submit detailed reports on the behaviour, performance and discipline of offenders ordered to perform three months of community service at educational, humanitarian and public service entities.
If such offenders fail to comply, the prosecution can approach the court asking for imprisonment equivalent to that of the community service period. The offender could also be made to complete his community service in prison.
On March 6, a new resolution was issued in Abu Dhabi setting rules and guidelines for the type of work that people ordered to do community service have to undertake.
The decree issued by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, comes within the framework of implementing Article 120 of Federal Law No 7 of 2016, which stipulates mandatory community service of sentenced individuals.
The law also stipulates the coordination between the public prosecution entitled with community service and the designated entity, in which community service will be performed.
Detailed reports on performance, behaviour and discipline of sentenced individuals should be prepared by designated entities and addressed to the community service public prosecution.
